Why are all my prints sustainable and environmentally friendly?

Grégory Herpe
11 hours ago
2 min read

As a photographer / artist, I place great importance on ensuring that my prints are not only beautiful, but also truly sustainable. That’s why I consistently use Hahnemühle Natural Line Hemp FineArt Paper, 290 g/m², and I’d like to explain the deeper reasons behind this choice.

1. Environmental Responsibility

The paper I use is made of 60 % hemp fibre and 40 % cotton.

Hemp is an extraordinary plant: it grows quickly, requires far less water than many other fibre crops, and its fibres are exceptionally strong.

By choosing it, I contribute to preserving natural resources.

Moreover, the naturally bright white tone of this paper is achieved without optical brighteners, thanks to the inherent whiteness of hemp fibres.

This avoids the use of additional chemicals and reinforces my ecological commitment.

And importantly, the paper is acid-free and lignin-free, enhancing its environmental and archival quality.

2. High Archival Quality

For my artistic prints, I want each work to endure. Hahnemühle’s Hemp paper meets this requirement: it is ISO 9706-certified, meaning it is of "museum quality" and designed for long-term preservation. Its lightly textured felt surface offers a silky, pleasing touch while enhancing the depth of images — blacks are deep, and contrasts are striking.

3. Excellent Print Performance

Thanks to a premium matte inkjet coating, this paper is extremely versatile: the colors emerge with richness, the details are sharp, and the reproduction is faithful whether I print in color or black and white. It is compatible with both pigment and dye-based inks, giving me great technical freedom depending on the project.

4. A Historical and Symbolic Fibre

Hemp is one of the oldest fibres used for paper production. Historically, it was used in precious documents like the Gutenberg Bible and the United States Declaration of Independence, precisely because of its robustness and longevity.

By choosing this material, I connect with this ancient tradition while affirming my commitment to a more sustainable future.

5. Usage

According to its technical specifications, the Hemp 290 g/m² paper has a pH of 8.5, is highly water-resistant, and dries almost instantly after printing.

In short, I choose the Hahnemühle Natural Line Hemp 290 g/m² because it perfectly embodies ethics, beauty, and durability.

It allows me to produce prints that not only reflect my images, but also my values — I want my work to leave an imprint that is both artistic and respectful of the planet.